PPWR Overview Guide 2026 - Flipbook - Page 4
Definition of a 8Producer9
EPR Obligations
PPWR applies to economic operators placing packaging on the EU market. It aims to
ensure only one producer per packaging unit for clarity in EPR and legal responsibility.
Producers bear the primary responsibility for packaging placed on the market and are
legally obligated to report to an EPR Scheme, report packaging quantities and pay EPR
fees.
A 8Producer9 is defined as the first business that places packaged goods on the Irish
market
In Ireland, obligated producers include:
•
Distributors - Any company who resells or passes on packaging or packaged goods.
•
Importers- Any company that imports packaging or packaged goods from a non-EU
country into the EU
The above includes
• Importers bringing packaged goods into Ireland
• Brand owners selling packaged products under their own brand
• Retailers selling own-brand products
• Online marketplace and distance sellers. This includes non-EU companies shipping goods into
Irish market.
The terms Economic Operator/Producer is defined in Article 3, PPWR Regulation
4
Not all 8economic operators9 are Producers.
Under PPWR, the broader term 8Economic
Operator 8 refers to any person or entity
involved in the supply chain of packaging they must follow the rules but may not have
EPR obligations.
In some contexts, the 8Manufacturer9
(producer of the packaging) is
distinguished from the 8Producer9 (person
placing the packaged product on the
market).
For detail of roles, definitions and
responsibilities, please see Slide 48
